March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is: “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” which encourages personalizing your own healthy eating style and recognizing food preferences, lifestyle, cultural and ethnic traditions and health concerns which all impact individual food choices.

Remember:

1. ALWAYS include the foods that you like. When making healthy menu selections it is always best to include the foods that you like and not to try fad type diets.  Fad diets tend to eliminate or exclude certain food groups.  It is best to consider and include all of your food groups: dairy, meat, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats
2. Think about how your plate SHOULD look.  By utilizing the plate method you ensure that you include all of your foods groups.
3. Watch portion sizes.  Too much of a healthy food is not always a good idea.  Meaning eating a lot of something that is considered healthy will still have calories.
4. Plan mini meals. The best way to control hunger and over eating at a meal is to eat small frequent meals during the day.  You should eat breakfast within 1 hour of waking and then eat something every 3 hours.  Eating 5 to 6 times a day is what is recommended in small portions.  Snacks are good ideas so don’t forget your healthy snacks.  By eating this way you are never so hungry that you don’t care what you eat or how much you eat.

As we work through our, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” always remember the key points above so as to stay on track with your own personal goals!

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Need a little help eating healthier?  We can help you with weight loss, diabetes, cholesterol and much more. Schedule a free appointment with our dietitian at a health center nearest you.